Lana Lee McGinnis
May 21, 1945 - August 04, 2015
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Lana Lee McGinnis
May 21, 1945 - August 04, 2015
Obituary
Lana McGinnis passed away peacefully on August 4, 2015 in her home in Edmonds, WA. She was born May 21, 1945 in Bellingham, WA. She is survived by her mother Gertrude Bolster, son Jeff, daughter-in-law Gina, and her beloved grandchildren Sofia and Jack.
Lana is preceded by her father Gordon Colley, Brother Craig Colley, and step-father Jim Bolster.
Lana had a passion for and a love of dance, specifically classical ballet. She learned her love of dance at an early age from her mother, where she would drive her to Edmonds from Bellingham to learn under Dorothy Fisher.
She earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts which gave her the confidence to build and run her studio, The Ballet Academy of Performing Arts located in Edmonds, WA for over 30 years. Hundreds of young people have come through the school with an inspiring message: “To encourage a love of dance, music, and the arts.” Her students were inspired and walked away with a confidence of being on stage and a better awareness of how to move their bodies.
She loved Hawaii, especially the island of Kauai. For a good portion of her life she spent most Christmas Holidays there with her family and golfing with friends. She enjoyed the sunshine and relaxing atmosphere the island lifestyle provided.
Golf was another passion of Lana’s. She considered it a lifelong endeavor, much like dance, to be practiced, but rarely perfected. She enjoyed the challenge, exercise, and camaraderie that golf provided. She could often be found watching the Open or Masters at her home or with friends.
Lana enjoyed being out on Lake Washington during the summers on her boat with friends or taking her grandkids for a spin. Boating was a part of her life since she was a little girl and thoroughly enjoyed being out on the water.
The Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle was one of her favorite hangouts. She enjoyed visiting the grandkids at “Wee WAC’s”, having the school perform “Le Petite Nutcracker” during the holiday festivities, or making it a home base for viewing the play or performance of her choice.
She adored her Sofia and Jack and loved nothing more than to have the grandkids over to ride cars in her dance studio, walk around the beaches in Edmonds, or just relax at Gramma Lana’s house.
Lana was a very dedicated daughter to her mother. She spent most every holiday with her mother and step father until his passing. After Jim passed she was the main caregiver to her mother for several years. They had an amazing bond.
A private burial will be held at Greenacres Cemetery in Ferndale, WA. A celebration of Lana’s life will be held in September to allow all of her students, past and present, to be able to attend.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Lana McGinnis on Saturday, September 26, 4:00PM at Lana’s Studio. Lana’s Studio is located at 22811 100th Ave. W. Edmonds, Wa, 98020
28 responses to Lana Lee McGinnis
Stephanie Dykas Gilbert says:
August 4, 2015
Dear Gert, Jeff, Gina, Sophia, & Jack,
I am so sorry for your shock and loss, and send each of you sympathy, love, respect and thanks forever for sharing your daughter, mother and gramma with me. I admired and loved her. She was a gifted teacher.
Actually, as I think back to our earliest days at the American Legion in B’ham, when I was 6 and she was 19, I realize that I also need to thank Bammi and Harold!
I will not be able to attend on September 26th, but tonight I have a gala program of happy memories of kind, generous and fun Lana. Tuesday nights at Bunks, showing 8 year old me pictures of her and Bob’s sports-car honeymoon in Europe, her baby shower at the Aftermath club, inviting me down to meet newborn Jeff at the apartment in Mount Lake Terrace, inviting Vivian and me to stay over when we came down on the bus to dance weekends at Dorothy Fisher’s and cooking us eggs for breakfast, hanging out on Capitol Hill with Jeff while Lana was taking a class at Cornish, visiting NYC and joining me and Gail Bennett for brunch at the Rainbow Room, perfect ankle ribbons, happy laugh, sculptural rings, that speedboat on Lake Washington – wasn’t it called the Avenger!? A passion for grace, classical music and pure ballet, “her commute” four steps from her apartment to the studio, the white baby grand piano, her choreography, her joy over her students accomplishments, her love for Craig and Todd, her way of not looking like she was looking at you when she WAS looking at you dance!, her resilience and quiet courage, our mutual crush over Phil Mickelson (long before Jordan Speith), her determination to visit me in Maine, our crazy night at the Ritz in Boston, the Arabesque, stories of Gert and Jim at the island, Hawaii, Mr. Wiggins, Molly, telling prod gramma stories about Sophia and Jack, and our last visit together in Bellingham when we ate plenty of muffins for breakfast!
May you easily recall all of your happiest memories and feel the inspiration to waltz for her.
Your friend, always,
Stephie
Gail Brennen says:
August 4, 2015
I met Lana 42 years ago at Irene Larson’s Dance Studio in the University District while taking a ballet class. We became great friends and had lots of fun. We shared many family gatherings, a trip to New York, Whistler and different visits to the San Juan Islands, numerous rounds of golf, New Year’s Eve celebrations, fabulous days cruising on her boat and a wonderful time watching many theatre productions. I have such fond memories. My condolences to all. Love, Gail Brennen, Austin, TX
Kari Aadland Kochar says:
August 4, 2015
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of Lana. She was my dance teacher for years and then one of my first bosses in 1988 when the studio was located in Firdale Village. I didn’t just learn dance from her, but also how to run a small business. Sending you my condolences for your loss.
Bev McCullough says:
August 4, 2015
My condolences to all Lana’s beloved family and family of friends.We were BHS classmates and when very young, in Dorothy Fisher’s dance classes together.
.Lana was a classy young woman in high school and as she matured, a classy woman who inspired us all by making her dream come true of sharing her love of dance with so many.
Please be gentle with yourselves in the weeks and months ahead as you walk your grief walk and experience the yin/yang of sorrow for loss and joy for having known such a wonderful woman.
Ron Walken class of '63 says:
August 4, 2015
I was just shocked find Lana had passed.
Lana and a few others settled in Seattle and occasionally I think of one of them and check maybe facebook and today ran into Lana. We grew up doors apart in Bellingham and I recall her as always a pleasant person. Her mother and mine graduated in the same class also.
I knew she and Nonnie were into golf but I never knew she was into boating. Shucks We probably motored past each other on the lake. Now did I know we were both members of the WAC.. I never used it for much more than the fittness center…can’t swim well.
It will be sad passing by Edmonds and realizing she is not there. My guess is she is still teaching dance somewhere.